Review: Kinklab Neoprene Cuffs

My first experience with handcuffs in brief: painful scraping, paranoia over keys and their whereabouts, the inky smell of metal. Mind you, these cuffs were real police cuffs. Steel, double-locking, and hinged, they demanded a tennis-arm bend of the wrist to insert the key, and one more expert move to release the cuffs from an arm. Kinky, right? Closer to stressful.

But Babeland's Kinklab Neoprene Cuffs take the stress away, and leave the kink where it should be. The cuffs themselves are lined in neoprene, a synthetic rubber used in everything from wet suits to hydroponic gardening systems. Soft and pliable, the neoprene feels good against the skin, and quite comfortable as a cuff, almost like a woven bangle. For their outer shell, the cuffs boast a "wraparound velcro design," an easy way to keep the cuffs both structured when idle and functional to take on and off. Finally, the neoprene-velcro discs are held together by (nickel-free!) keychain hardware. This allows for the cuffs to be easily removed by another person, but difficult-to-impossible to remove by oneself during play. In short, the Kinklab product is ideal: no keys, no worries, no discomfort. Just cuffs.

The one drawback to this product is that the keychain hardware does appear a bit garish to the un-kinked eye. For a newcomer to this basic and mild form of bondage, seeing such a metal component may distract from their fun attributes and call attention to the act at hand. They are a step beyond the scarf, the ribbon, the more organic household item. But if you're ready for that, the
Kinklab Neoprene Cuffs are just what you need.

Review: Solar Bullet

Ecosexy. Here we find a term most easily realized by organic cotton lingerie,
all natural lube, or 365 whipped cream from Whole Foods. The $34 Solar Bullet, however, takes erotic eco to a new level. A bullet vibrator--powered by a solar panel. Energy efficient and (at times abrasively) intense, the Solar Bullet is a good idea with an unfortunate less-than-sexy execution. With a small black plastic egg attached via cord to a 3 1/4" x 2" solar panel, the Bullet gets in the middle of partner sex more than a 2" vibe should.

In addition, the Bullet takes a full eight hours of sunlight to translate one hour of use. After using a few times without leaving it out in the sun to "charge," the Bullet gave out mid-use. I suppose this issue could easily be avoided if one left the panel on the windowsill during the day, but for someone forgetful, busy or without a place to leave it, keeping this vibe powered may be too much of an ordeal.


Finally, the Bullet is a noisy little buckshot. Though it looks almost like an mp3 device or other electronic, its sound can be heard easily through quilts, comforters and the like. Between moans, buzzing, and voices perhaps emanating from your computer, masturbation suddenly becomes a bit of a concert, which for many, can distract from enjoyment. As a whole, the Bullet fails as a discrete toy. Keep this in mind before purchasing.

In (Drug)Stores Now: Vibrators

Though covered by every news source from the New York Times to KCRA Sacremento, the arrival of vibrators to the Family Planning aisle of various drugstores still finds me ecstatic. Thus—here I return, Blogland (and Babeland), to chronicle this important change happening amongst what feels like a war on reproductive policy.

A girl's first vibrator is like her first cell phone: socially liberating, battery-powered, and, of course, a bit private. To many young women unsure of how to masturbate—let's face it, our anatomy is a little confusing!--that vibrator opens up doors to a sexuality previously unknown. As female masturbation instruction pioneer Betty Dodson says while recounting her first vibrator experience in the '60s, “It used to take me 20-30 minutes to come...[but with the vibrator] it is like 'woah,' and of course, I have an orgasm, and another one and another one... Women say, 'oh well I could never use one of those i'd get addicted!' Yeah, do it get addicted. Its not fattening, it isnt illegal, it doesn’t cost much, and after you buy it its good for as long as the motor—well, these things last much longer than a relationship.”
In other words, a vibrator makes clitoral pleasure easy; for me and many other women, vibrators taught us how to orgasm and how to be comfortable orgasming in front of a partner.

But what to do when you are under eighteen, can't risk an internet order on mommy's credit card or even stoop, or are fearful to walk in the only sex shop downtown that's covered in fluorescent lights flashing “LIVE NUDES”? A vibrator box manhandled by post-glory-hole truck drivers just doesn't seem to sit well on a nightstand next to Their Eyes Were Watching God...

Enter Rite-Aid; Walgreens; CVS; even our local Duane Reade. Trusted contraception companies such as Trojan, Durex, and Lifestyles are now placing $20-$40 vibrators models on drugstore shelves, under product names like the “Allure,” “A:muse,” and “Tri-Phoria.” The development, endorsed by both doctors and influential entrepreneurs in the sex industry such as Babeland's own Rachel Venning, brings liberation as well as fear to everyday shoppers. Though spokeswoman Vivika Vergara refers to the products as “tasteful, responsible merchandising,” in a “comfortable setting,” sources like Newsweek dub drugstore-priced personal sex devices the “Red Light Special.” All in all, however, controversy surrounding this development has oddly been at a minimum. I guess even the men pouring their pockets into anti-Planned Parenthood bills respect the toys that keep their wives happy after a long day at work. Who could blame 'em? Marketed by Trojan (below) for masturbation as well as fun with a partner, Betty Dodson's words ring true: “yeah, do get addicted.”

Review: Jimmyjane Iconic Ring

Product Review:
Jimmyjane Iconic Ring

Although the cock ring originated (purportedly) in 1200 AD constructed of goat's eyelids, it's iconic 2011 status is finally of elastomer--soft, hypoallergenic, phthalate-free. The cock ring has further evolved from a simple ring of fabric to be set on the base of a penis to a miniature pliable vibrating machine. Simple in purpose but complex in design, cock rings like the Jimmyjane Iconic Ring combine clitoral stimulation with sexual intercourse without intrusion. These kiddos are the best couples toy I'd recommend for light experimentation. They are safe, easy to clean and enhance a sexual experience without breaking the comforting intimacy of vanilla sex. Hey, we all like vanilla at the end of the day, right? Maybe with some chocolate chip cookies, though..

The Product Review:
Jimmyjane Iconic Ring is especially fantastic not only because of its malleable material but touch-sensitive vibration mode that responds easily with vibrations as it contacts the body. Another option lets you leave the vibrations on continuously.
I've had this ring for about six months now and its battery is still working great. This cock ring cannot be compared with the average cock ring that lasts for one use; as a hetero-couple toy, the Jimmyjane ring is the ultimate.

However, as a toy to maintain an erection or stimulate the perineum, this cock ring is not rigid enough nor built for that kind of play. This should also not be used for medical purposes (ED).

9-Year-Old Boys Can Prevent from HPV, Too, Says FDA

For the 100th year of International Women's Day...I bring you (and not a month too late) exciting news! Merk proves that a vaccine for a disease for which men cannot be tested carries usefulness in prevention of said disease. From your first nipple hair and textbook-hidden-erection, you can take a shot to protect from a whopping 4% of HPV strains. But wait, if you turn a vaccine-less 27 and you're sick of using condoms with your longtime girlfriend, Gardasil isn't proven to protect that 4%.

Seems I'm rubbing Gardasil a bit hard, here. Its development and production is, well, extremely productive in long-term prevention of cervical cancers and warts in women. Gardasil--for women or for men--is a stepping stone to even more widespread improvements in the drastically high statistics on HPV. Gardasil for men, no matter how limiting, is a significant vaccine to come into play whilst 20 million Americans and counting add HPV to their medical history.

Adding Male Studies to your Women and Gender Studies minor acts similar to taking a vaccine for a virus you cannot be physically proven to have. While gender equality makes sense on many (most!) levels, these academic and medical developments simply will be lost on the male population they seek to attract. While women spread for paps, the majority of men know vague--if any--facts about HPV. Meanwhile, half the male population acts as carriers. Scary, but, how scary can it be if it doesn't cause you any symptoms?

As a friend to many HPV survivors, I have just a few words of advice. Boys: use condoms, and donate all your cash to the FDA for testing research. Girls, take your folic acid and get your pap smears on the regular.

On the Road...Fellatio Included

Here's the bread-and-butter scenario: you're driving through wide open country with Hunky Companion who happens to be operating the machinery. He twists his fingers over the radio volume, presses his foot against the gas pedal. Tumbleweeds--cacti--what have you--speed past your window. You haven't seen a speed limit sign, a bystanding rabbit, or a refrigerated truck in what seems like hours. Hunky Companion rubs his thumb over the edge of the clutch and continues moving until he grasps your thigh. The sun begins to go down and you think, why not?

Hot enough of a subject to land 16 posts on texts from last night and tingle the editing hands of Esquire and Jezebel, what many a youth refer to as "road head" is a pervasive yet taboo(-ed) phenomenon of sexually active persons since the dawn of Ford. Nearly as golden as a threesome but as dangerous as texting while driving, road head can be perplexing, exciting, adventurous, and even empowering. On the one hand, going down on a man while he drives puts him in complete control. Hunky Companion is the manliest man possible--he's driving a car, he's got a hot woman in passenger seat, and he's--for lack of a better phrase--gettin' his dick sucked...

On the other hand, both you and Hunky Companion lose control by performing your intimate act in a public setting.

Both the gain of control and loss of control that come with the road head experience cause it to be thrilling, perhaps scary for some. If you do choose to engage in road head with someone, follow these three simple rules:
1) Don't attempt while intoxicated; bumps, potholes and other road impediments could cause injury if not anticipated.
2) Be discreet. Although there are no actual laws against receiving/giving head while operating a motor vehicle, there are laws against reckless endangerment, public acts of indecency, and in many states, oral sex itself!
3) Watch your elbows...wrists...jaw..etcetera. One foul move while concentrating on the act at hand could land your car in reverse or with the emergency break up. Getting road head may seem godly, but explaining a totaled car post-road-head is just humiliating.

Thank you, come again!

Masturbation and Self-esteem

Many of you (or few? My marketing abilities fell by the wayside on this one) may remember a survey I designed via Survey Monkey back in November. I had been brainstorming about how self-esteem affects masturbation: frequency, intensity, gain, and felt a mini-study might provide some insight. Noticing I felt turned on more frequently and more mentally engaged in personal sexual conduct when happy with my appearance and social life, I pondered if these psychological manifestations might be positively correlated.

So... I designed a pretty shitty survey. I have yet to take experimental psychology and asked what I thought *might* probe at my hypothesis. For example, my first questioned asked, "Do you genuinely like yourself?" Vague but somewhat revealing. 71% of my 50-person (facebook-induced!) data pool said "Yes, my personality and my looks." An interesting 23% said "Yes, my personality but I don't find myself attractive." We could be getting somewhere...

After having respondents rank on a scale of 1-10 their self-esteem (common answer: a high-medium 7), masturbation frequency questions revealed that 30% masturbate quite often (once per day) and another 30% masturbate a few times per week. Again, standard figures from a pool of people approximately 70% white, 98% ages 20-25.

Here I probe, "Do you ever think about yourself while masturbating?" Though this question may have nothing to do with my hypothesis (you can have high-self esteem without being incredibly narcissistic!) 41% of respondents admitted that they sometimes do. Respondents enjoyed thinking about their accomplishments, abilities, intellect, confidence, positive attitude, and success with the opposite sex.

However, the majority of frequent masturbating twenty-somethings never have thought about themselves while masturbating (54.2%.) This diversity of opinion points to a major flaw in my mini-study--lack of information. Further questions could have accessed why said respondents decidedly do not think of themselves while self-pleasuring. Is sexuality something they view more externally from themselves? Do accomplishments and confidence contribute at all to their understanding of sexuality and dominance?

One study published in the Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology measuring self-efficacy as well as self-esteem in sexually active 18-year-olds (1991) concluded, "There is need for adolescents to achieve a sense of mastery and self-worth in the sexual domain." Though this outcome supports my hypothesis, it still skims the periphery of the individual's self-perception and how that is linked to perception of pleasure in a fully safe place (alone). Perhaps I'll get back to you after I read the classic Masturbation, Self Esteem and Other Variables* (1973)...Google scholar, you allude me!